Problems and Solutions in Histological Technique

Problems in Histopathological Technique

Prepared by

ROY ELLIS

IMVS Division of Pathology

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Woodville Road, Woodville, South Australia 5011

Email: roy.ellis@imvs.sa.gov.au

PROBLEM NUMBER 6
Shattering, cracked or folded sections from large blocks processed through paraffin wax.

This is a section of kidney stained Haematoxylin and Eosin showing significant cracking and staining very red.

This is a result of overdehydration. Too much moisture has been removed from the block during processing. Strangely enough cutting a good section does require that some moisture remain in the tissue.

The solution is to place a soaked cotton gauze over the block face for 5 to 10 seconds before cutting. This allows enough moisture to penetrate 15 to 20 µm allowing a quality section to be cut.

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